Fluid lift for wells



Feb- 15, 1932. J. PENROD FLUID LIFT FOR WELLS Filed Feb. 9, 1928 5 sheets-shet gwomkw attenua. v

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M0011 ma feb. 16, 1932. J. PENRQD FLUD LIFT FOR wELLs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1928 35% 'V ttozwuj Feb. 16, 1932. J. PENROD 1,845,132

FLUID LIFT FOR WELLS Fi1edFeb.9,192a sneets-shee Patented Feb. 16, 1932 unirse STATE-s narratori-fics JOHN PENROD, OF OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA, .,ASSIGNOR vOF ONE-*HALF TO.ROBERT D.

THOMPSON, OF OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA l l FLUID LIFT Fon WELLS Application led February 9, 1928. Serial No. 253,12

This invention relates to fluid lifts especially adapted for use in oil and other wells.

Briefly stated, an important object of the' invention is to provide a fluid lift for wells f .in which the valve for the admission of the lifting medium is moved to inlet position when a predetermined volume of oil or other liquid accumulates under natural pressure in the tubing whereby the well is caused to flow l* by heads. i -f Another and equally important obJect- 1s to providea fluid lift in which the. pressure prevailing within the tubing is relied onto control the inlet valve for the lifting medium l" so that when the lifting medium within Vthe tubing expands as a result of the discharge of a portion of the lifted fluid from 'the well the tubing pressure will drop and thereby bring about the closing of the aforesaid inlet valve, this feature of the invention being intended to conserve the supply of lifting medium by cutting off such supply at the earliest feasible moment.

The invention further aims to provide a fluid lift for wells in which a novel form of swab is employed to avoid, so far as possible, the mingling of the lifting and lifted fluids. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide reliable means by which the opening and closing of the inlet valve for the lifting fluid is accomplished with the suddeiiess necessary for efficient operation of the invention. Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like 4.. numerals are employed to designate like parts threughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved fluid lift installed in a well, r Figure 2 is av vertical sectional view through the upper portion of the improved fluid lift,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the intermediate fluid lift, v Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through 5 the lower portion of the improved fluid lift,

portion of the improved Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is` a horizontal ysectional .view taken on line`6-46 of Figure 3, y

Figure? is ay perspective of a spring embodied in the invention,

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating a modification of the invention.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a well casing within Vwhich a tubing'll of conventional or other design is located. With reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that apacker12 is located on theflower portionof the tubing and is in the nature of one or more annular radially expansible members adapted for fluid tight contact with the casing 10. Figure -2 illustrates that a tubing nipple 14 is suspended fromrthe lowermember 16 of the packer and hasfconnection at` they lower portion thereof with the bushingV 18 of a casing or housing 20 of the improved fluid lift; n

Referring 4now to Figure 4 it will be seen that the casing or housing 2O hasconnection at the lower end thereof with'a perforated fluid inlet 22 extending through or positioned inplroximity to the producingstratum of the wel Y A It is believed to be clear that during the descent of the improved fluid 4lift into the well the coacting shoulders 24 on the lower` portion of the tubing and the adjacent portion of the end member 16 of the packer will be in engagement. However, when the anchormember on the extreme lower portions of the tubingand associated parts is engaged with the bottom of the well the descent of` the nipple 14 and the end member 16 rigidly connected thereto will be arrested while the tubing 11 will continue to ydescend so that the shoulder 24 thereof is engaged with the upper end of the coupling 26.L `With they shoulder 24 of the tubing thus resting on the coupling 26 the packer 12 will be expanded into fluid tightv contact with the casing. The packer 12 may be of conventional or other design and establishes a fluid tight contact between the tubing and casing at a point above the air lift valve to be described.

With the packer thus expanded between the tubing and the casing an annular reservoir for a lifting medium, such as compressed air or gas, is defined by the tubing and the casing and the lifting medium within this reservoir is prevented at all times from exerting a restraining influence on the oil or other liquid in the producing stratum. The lifting medium, such as compressed air or gas, may be taken from any convenient source. Clearly, the packer is placed above the producing stratum and acts as a closure or a sealing medium between the aforesaid reservoir and the producing stratum.

The natural pressure of the well will cause the oil or other liquid to enter a cylinder 28 by lway of the perforated inlet nipple 22 and a standing valve 30. Of course, during the admission of yoil or the like into the cylinder 28 the movable element 32`of the valve is unseated.

Figure 4 clearly illustrates that the cylinder 28 is freely perforated to allow of the easy upward movement of the oil or the Vlike from the cylinder 28 into the casing 20. The oil or other liquid which enters the casing 2O under natural pressure passes upwardly about the exterior of the cylinder 28 and enters thetubing 1l by way of the nipple 14.

Figure 2 illustrates that a swab or free piston 84 is located in the nipple 14 during the accumulation of oil or the like in the tubing and is provided at they lower portion thereof with a recess or chamber 36 within which a movable valve element 37 operates.

The movable valve element 37 is located below a centrally arranged opening 38 in the `free piston or swab, but is normally spaced therefrom by a pair of expansion springs 39. The expansion springs 39 are constantly engaged with pins 40 from which the valve 37 is suspended and it is through the medium of the springs 39 that rthe movement ofthe valve 37 to closed position under the influence of the natu rallyV flowing oil or other liquid is resisted. In other words, during the accumulation of oil or other liquid in the tubing under the influence of natural pressure the valve 37 is held in the open position illustrated in Figure 2.

The valve 37 is provided on the lower side hereof with a tubular extension 4l having Va chamber or recess to snugly receive the nozzle 42 of the air discharge conduit 44. A close working fit is provided between the nozzle 42 and the wall of the chamber in the member-4l so that when air` is discharged from the nozzle the rapid ascent of the valve 37 to closed position will be accomplished.

In carrying out theV invention, the free piston or swab is provided at the upper portion thereof with a one-way outlet valve 46' which, of course, is seated during the ascent of the piston beneath a column of oil or the like. When the level of the oil or other liquid inthe tubing reaches a predetermined height,

the discharge of the lifting medium through the nozzlel 42 is brought about in a manner to be fully described and the valve 37 is closed, after which the free piston will ascend under the influence of the lifting medium and will maintain the lifting and lifted fluids separate so far as is possible to do so.

After the lifted fluid has been discharged from the well the descent of the free piston will take place, during which the column of air or gas beneath the piston will be conipressed slightly to act as a cushion by which the piston is allowed to settle to the bottom of the well without destructive contact with the nozzle 42. In other words, the descent of the free piston is retarded by the column of air or gas beneath the same, which column acts on the under vside of the valve 37 and temporarily closes the same against the pressure of the springs 39. `Such operation of the valve 37 may occur several times during the descent of thefree piston to the position illustrated in Figure 2.

Furthermore, the springs 39 will also cushion the final phase of the descent of the free piston` 34. It will also be observed that as the chamber within the tubular extension 4l receives the nozzle 42, the pressure therein will be temporarily increased. This cushions the engagement of the valve 37 with the nozzle. Figure 2 illustrates that the nozzle 42 is extended through and is effectively braced by a spider 48 carried by the lower portion of the nipple 14 so that the same is p-roperlv centered for entrance into the chamber of the member 4l. Also, the terminal of the nozzle 42 is shown to be externally tapered while the chamber in the member 41 is shown to be enlarged at the lower portion thereof to form a gradually restricted entrance opening for the nozzle 42.

In carrying out the invention, the cylinder is provided at a point above the standing valve 30 with a cylindrical valve chest 50 having a'piston valve 52 snugly fitted therein. A fluid tight contact is provided between the piston valve 52 and the wall of the chamber in the valve chest 50 to positively prevent the escape of the' lifting medium during its flow through the valve chest. The piston valve may be chambered for the reception of a lubricant. The chamber in the piston valve is ported.

Figure 4 clearly illustrates that the valve inwardly from the wall of the cylinder 28 to allow the Vproducts of the' wellto flow upwardly through the vcylinder 28 and act against the underside of the head 60 of the piston valve.

The upper portion of the head 60 defines the lower end of a pressure chamber 66 into which a fluid under pressure is introduced preparatory to the installation of the apparatus in a well.v In this connection attention is invited to F igure) 2 which illustrates that the upper end of the cylinder 28 is pro# vided with a-valve 68 by which air under pressure may be introduced into the chamber 66. 0i course, preparatory to the introduction of air underpressure the head 60 of the piston valve is` moved to the limit of descent so that the chamber for the reception of air isr enlarged to greatest capacity.

As shown in Figure 3 a quantity of good lubricating oil is placedin the chamber 66 for lubricating purposes and to aid in Vsealing the lower portion of the chamber.` Naturally, the oil will remain in the lower portion of the chamber against the head 60 to provide for the retention of the air under pressure in the chamber 66 for a long period.

When the head 60 is moved to lowermost position the lower end of the same will be engaged with a seat 69 shown in Figure 4 and will have a fluid tight Contact therewith. To provide such iuid tight vcontact between the head 60 and the seat 69 these parts may be ground together during manufacture. lt might be noted that the cylinder 28 is formed from a number of sections, the lower one of which is threaded into the next section so that the upper terminal of the lower section forms the seat 69. f

A iiuid tight seal for the lower end of the pressure chamber 66 is provided by* the en-V gagement ci' the lower end of the head 60 with the seat 69 and by the rings 7 O or other sealing devices carried by the head 60. Thus, the fluid under pressure in the chamber 66 is prevented from leaking from the lower end thereof and the products of the well are prevented from entering the pressure chamber. ln fact, the engagement of the head V60 with the seat 69 spaces theproducts of the well from contact with the sealing devices 70. Y

As stated, the cylinder 28. is freely perforated about the inlet valve 30 to allow ci' the free upward flow of the well products into the tubing. ln use the Huid which accumulates between the valve chest 50 and the cylinder 28 will be oi a gaseous nature incapable of carrying sand or other solid particles so there is little likelihood of sand coming into contact with the sealing devices 70.

`When the pressure of the fluid within the tubing` exceeds a predetermined value the head 60 will be moved upwardly by such pressure of the fluid within the chamber 66 and against a spring catch 75. When they piston 60 is in lowermost position the catch 75, in a form cfa leaf spring as clearly shown in Figure 7, is engaged with the underside oi an annular shoulder 76 on the inner wall orn the chamber A66.`

When the pressure of the fluid accumulated in the tubing is suiiicient to overcome the spring 75 and the pressure of the fluid within the chamber 66,`the spring is flexed to pass the shoulder 76 afterwhich, the head 60k moves upwardly with the suddenness necessary to quickly uncover the port into which Vthe inlet connection 56 is threaded. The employment of the-'spring 75 results in a delay in the ascent of the valve 52130 open position until vthe pressure in the tubing eXceedsthe pressure within the compression chamber suliciently to move the head 60 and the valve 52 thereof tov uppermost position as shown in Figures 8 and 4. By this arrangement stalling of the apparatus is prevented.

When the piston head 60 is moved upwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 3 the upperL end of the same is engaged with a seat 7 9 formed on the lower portion of one of the sections of the cylinder 28 and has Huid tight contact-therewith to cooperate with thefrings in avoiding leakage of the Huid within the chamber 66.

The movement of the piston valve 52 to v the packer l2 and is in open communication i with the reservoirfdefined by. the tubing and the casing so as to receive a liftingmedium, such as compressed air or gas, and conduct the same into the valve chest 50.

The compressed air or gas' thus supplied to the valve chest 50 is conducted through the outlet elbow 58, the outlet conduit 44 and the nozzle 42 and is discharged with an initial blast which moves the valve 37 to closed position, after which the ascent of the free piston 34 takes place.

The supply of lifting fluid, such as compressed air or gas, continues so long as a predetermined pressure Vremains on vthe underside of the head 60. It is important to observe during the period of admission of the lifting medium the movable elment 32 of the standing valve will be held in seated or closed position by the pressure ofthe lifting medium so that additional oil or other products of a well can not enter the cylinder 28.

Thus, the oil or the like accumulated above the free pistonis elevated under the inliuence of the superior pressure of the lifting fluid. During the ascent of the oil or the like in the tubing, the free piston will minimize minglng of the products of a well with the lifte ing fluid so that unusual emulsiication is avoided. Y

. During vthe discharge of the oil or the lilre from the tubing, the resistance to the lifting medium will be correspondingly decreased With the result that a definite expansion of the lifting fluid takes place. lt is believed to b-e clear that the expansion of the lifting medium Within the tubing will result in a substantial drop in tubing pressure, which drop in tubing pressure Will allow the pressure Within the chamber 66. to return the head 60 and the piston valve 52 to lower or closed position to cut olf the supply of additional lifting fluid. A

lVith the Weight of the tubing liquid thus greatly reduced, the lifting medium remaining Within the tubing will expand sufficiently to complete the discharge of the'orl. lhen the tubing pressure has been decreased by the discharge of a portion of the column of the oil or the like, the air is, of course, cut off and the movable element 32 is no longer held in a firmly seated position, but may rise 'Y under the influence of the pressure of the oil seelring to enter the Well. By this arrangement the pressure built up in the producing stratum during the discharge of the tubing liquid is allowed to force a new supply of oil into the Well tubing even before the'previously admitted oil has been completely discharged.

`With reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that the descent of the piston valve 52 to i closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the chamber 66 is resisted by the engagement of the leaf Aspring 75 with an annular shoulder F8 formed Within the cylinder 28. Thus, the return of the piston `4valve 52 to closed position is delayed until i* the tubing pressure has dropped substantially below the pressure Within the chamber 66. By this arrangement the movement 0f the piston valve 52 from fully open to full7 closed position in response to a predetermined drop in tubing pressure Withrespect to the pressure Within the chamber 66 is provided for.y

This sudden cut off of the supply of lifting fluid aids in maintai ing the columns of lifted iand lifting fluids separate.

TWhen the oil has thus been discharged from the tubing the descent of theV free piston 34 Will take place and as previously stated such descent is cushioned and retarded suciently fito avoid destructive contact of the same With the nozzle 42.

In the form of invention illustrated in ure 8 the cylinder 123 is arranged eccentricalqly Within the housing or casing 120 and is provided with a valve chest 130 having connection with a supply pipe 131 through the medium of an elboiv 132. Figure 8 clearly illustrates that a slide valve 134 is located 4Within the valve chest 130 and is adapted to control an outlet port 136.

In carrying out this form of invention the slide valve 134 has a surface or close fit With the inner side of the valve chest 13() and when in closed position is caused to effectively seal the port 136 by the pressure of the fluid from the supply pipe 131 acting in conjunction with the springs 138, of which there may be one at each corner of the slide valve.

A plunger 140 suspended from a movable piston corresponding to the piston 60 is pro` vided with a longitudinal slot 142, in Which the pin 146 of the slide valve is received. As the plunger 140 approaches the limit of its movement in either direction a closed end of the slot 142 will be engaged With the pin 146 to move the slide valve 134 to an eXtreme position. Otherwise expressed, the initial phase of the movement of the plunger 140 is Without effect on the slide valve 134, but as the piston approaches thelimit of its movement `the valve will be moved to either fully open or fully closed position With the suddenness necessary for efficient operation.

The lifting fluid, such as compressed air or gas, which is discharged from the valve chest 130 passes out through the discharge apertures 152 in the cylinder 128 and comes into lifsing relation to the tubing fluid. It is important to observe that during the admission of lifting Huid into the tubing the movable element 160 of the inlet valve 155 is held in a firmly seated position. This prevents the admission of the products of the Well during the admission of the lifting fluid, such as compressed air or Oas, into lifting relation to the tubing fluid. y this arrangement the mingling of the lifting fluid With the products of the ivell is reduced to a minimum. Also, during the period of admission of the products of the Well to the tubing the flow'of compressed air or gus into the tubing is positively cut off. At no time is the compressed air or gas allowed to exert a restraining influence on the producing stratum.

The foregoing illustrates that the invention forming the subject of'this application is capable of a Wide variety of mechanical eX- pressions and it is therefore to be understood that the forms of invention herewith shown and described are to be talrenmerely as preferred examples of the' saine and that such minorchanges in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: v

1. ln a fluid lift for Wells, a cylinder having a chamber adapted for the reception of a fluid under pressure, a valve having a head forming one end of said chamber and being responsive to the pressure in said chamber, a valve casing having a port controlled by said valve and adapted for the passage of a fluid, and yieldable means to hold said valve in an eXtreme position.

2. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder having a chamber adapted for the' reception of a fluid under pressure, a valve having a head forming one end of said chamber and being responsive to the pressure in said chamber, a valve casing having a port controlledfby said valve and adapted for the passage'of a fluid, and an inlet valve in said cylinder.

3. In a fluid lift :for wells, a cylinder having a chamber adapted for the reception of a fluid under pressure, a valve having a head forming one end of said chamber and being responsive to the pressure in said chainber, a valve casing having a port controlled by said valve and adapted for the passage of a fluid, and an inlet valve, said valve casing and said inlet valve being positioned within said cylinder.

4. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylindera valve in said cylinder and being responsive to variations in pressure at opposite sides of the same, a. valve chest having a port controlled by said valve, said valve chest being in said cylinder in spaced relation to the wall thereof to form a passage, there being means whereby hydrostatic pressure may assert itself against said valve through said passage.

5. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder, a valve in said cylinder and being responsive to variations in pressure at opposite sides of the saine, a valve' chest having a port con-l trolled by said valve, said valve chest being in said cylinder in spaced relation to the wall thereof to form a passage, and an inlet valve to said cylinder.

6. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet for the products of a well, a one-way valve between said inlet and outlet, means to supply a lifting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve within said cylinder and being exposed to the pressure kof the 1products of the well and urged to closed position thereby, and an initially compressed body of gas urging said valve to closed position.

7. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet for the products of a well, a one-way valve between said inlet and outlet, means to supply a lifting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a pressure actuated valve within said cylinder and controlling said means, there being yieldable means to hold said valve in aneXtrem'e position.

8. In a fluid lift for Wells, a cylinder having spaced seats, a piston valve having a head between said seats and adapted for substantially fluid tight contact therewith, said cylinder being provided-with a chamber adapted for the reception of a fluid under pressure, said piston head forming one end of said chamber, a valve chest having a port controlled by said valve, and means to supply a fluid to said port.

9. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder havingV spaced seats, a pistonV valve having a head between 'said seats andv adapted for substantially fluid tight contact therewith, said cylinder being provided with a chamber means to supply a and an outlet conproducts of a well. i l0'. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder hav- "inga chamber adapted for the reception of ya fluid under pressure, a valve having a head insaid cylinderv and forming one end of said chamber, means carried by said `cylinder and Vsaid head toyieldingly hold the valve and aid head 'infextreme position, a valve chestV havingfluid conducting'means controlled by said valve, a portion'ofj said cylinder remote from said chamber lbeing provided with an inlet and an outlet for the products of a well, a casing enclosing said cylinder and in communication therewith to receive'and conduct the products of a well, and a control element between said inlet and said outlet for said cylinder.

ll. In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder having a chamber adapted for the reception of a fluid under pressure, a valve having a head in said cylinder andfforming one end of said chamber, said cylinder being provided at opposite sides of said head with seats forengagement by the head to limit endwise movenient of the head and to seal one end'of the chamber, and a valve chest having fluid conducting means controlled by said valve.

12.` In a fluid lift for wells, a cylinder havangan inlet and an outlet for the conduct of the products of a well, al one-way valve Vbetween said inlet and saidoutlet and located within the cylinder, a valve chest within said 4cylinder and having means for conducting a lifting medium, a valve in said cylinder and controlling said valve chest and the fluid conducting meanstherein and being provided with ahead denin'g a chamber in said cylinder, there being a passage between said `valve chest and said cylinder for the passage of the products of a well into pressure contact with said head.y

is. lin a fluid uff-for Wens, a Cylinder hw ing an inlet andan outlet for the conduct of the-productsyof a well, a one-way valve between sa'id inletv and said outlet andV located within the cylinder, a valve chest within said cylinder and having means for conducting a lifting medium, a valve in said cylinder and controlling said valve chest and the fluid conducting means therein and being provided with a head defining a chamber in said cylinder, there being a passage between said valve chest and said cylinder for the passage tioned beneath the port ving medium, vtubing and receiving said cylinder and said of the products of a well into pressure contact Pwith said head, and a fluid conducting casing receiving said cylinder and having communication therewith.

n 14. In a fluid lift for wells, a casing, a tubing within the casing and cooperating therewith in the formation of a reservoir for the reception of a lifting medium, a packer be- .tween the tubing and casing, a valve mechaf Ymsm below said packer, a conduit connected to said Valve mechanism and extending through said packer into said reservoir to receive a lifting medium from the same, said ,valve mechanism having pressure responsive means controlling the fiow of the iuid lifta housing suspended from the conduit, said cylinder being provided with means for the conduct of the products of a Vwell into said housing, and aone-way valve associated with said lastnamed means.

. 15. In a fluid lift for wells, a free piston i having a port for the passage of a fluid, a valve positioned beneath the port to control the same and having a chamber, a nozzle adapted to be received in said chamber, and ainember in which said free piston operates. n 16. In a iiuid lift for wells, a free piston having a fluid conducting port, a valve posito control the same and having a chamber, a nozzle adapted to be received in said chamber, means normally spacing said valve from said port to hold the port normally open, and a member in Ywhich said free piston operates.

17. In a fluid lift, a tubing, a free piston within the tubing and having a port for the lpassage of the products of a well, a Valve associated with said portrand provided with a chamber, anda conduit for a lifting fluid Y having a nozzle snugly received in said chamber and adapted to supply a lifting medium into the chamber.

18. In a fluid lift lfor wells, a tubing, a housing having communication with the tubing, a cylinder within the housing and having an inlet and an outlet for the products of a well, said outlet having constant communication with said housing, a valve element within said cylinder and having a head, said cylinder being provided with a chamber, one

end of which is formed by said head, a valve chest within said cylinder and having inlet and outlet ports controlled by said valve element, an inlet conduit havingk constant communication with said inlet port of the 'valve chest, and a packer above said valve chest and having a passage receiving said conduit. In testimony whereof I aihX my signature.

JOI-IN PENROD. 

